“1718” collaborative literary reading series launches fall season

(New Orleans)—Featuring local writers and
showcasing original student work, co-sponsors Loyola University New Orleans and
Tulane University present the collaborative,
student-run reading series, “1718.” The fall schedule will feature writers
Alison Pelegrin, Rodger Kamenetz, and Paula Morris. The series opened on
September 4, with State Poet Laureate of Louisiana, Brenda Marie Osbey.

Students
from Loyola and Tulane began collaborating on the project last fall under the
direction of former Loyola
University
writer-in-residence Martin Pousson. They wanted to form a collaborative reading
series. “Especially given the traditionally-prescribed rivalry between Loyola
and Tulane, we were excited to create a collaborative effort between the two
communities of students,” said co-director of the program, English senior
Kaitlin Ketchum.

The name, “1718,”
was chosen in honor of the year New
Orleans was founded. Ketchum explains, “Part of the
aim in creating this series was to keep the New Orleans literary tradition young, alive,
fun, and something that everyone in the city could participate in.”

After many
meetings and discussions, the format was finalized as one where noted readers
and student writers could share their work together in a community-based event.
The event debuted in spring 2007 and featured local writers Christine Wiltz,
Poppy Z. Brite, Bev Marshall, John Biguenet, and Andrei Codrescu. Though
faculty advisers Kelly Wilson and Mark Yakich, Loyola University English
professors, support the series, it is planned, managed, and facilitated by
students. The English departments at Loyola and Tulane support the
collaborative artistically and financially.

The event is
hosted at the Columns Hotel rather than on one of the two campuses in order to
be more accessible to the New Orleans
community. “The Columns lends an air of historical New Orleans to our events and helps us root
ourselves in the city's great literary tradition,” said Ketchum about the
venue. Additionally, the parlor where the event is held is large enough to
accommodate the usually-packed audience and a bar is within close proximity so that
guests can purchase drinks if they choose.

“The response so
far has been wonderful,” said Ketchum. “We have had packed houses at most all
of our events, have gotten great audience feedback, and all of the writers who
have read for us have been very pleased with the events.”

The readings are
held at 7 p.m. at the Columns Hotel, 3811
St. Charles Avenue. Fall 2007 readings will be
Tuesday, October 2, featuring Alison Pelegrin; Tuesday, November 6, featuring
Rodger Kamenetz; and Tuesday, December 4, featuring Paula Morris. For more
information, please contact Kaitlin Ketchum at kmketchu@loyno.edu